As of 7:11 am this morning, I completed 39 miles. My husband completed 41. It's been an emotional and tiring day full of excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing event put on by the Soldier's Angels Foundation.
Yesterday, we arrived in San Antonio after our 4 hour drive, and we decided to go ahead and pick up our packets for the race later that evening. We walked into "Run On" and when we saw the list of runners, we were shocked to know that there were only 20 of us actually doing the full Ultra Marathon. Only 20 crazies signed up to run for over 9 hours. There were over 10 relay teams set to participate (9 person teams). We walked out with our swag bag wide eyed and even more nervous. What in the heck had I decided to do? ONLY 20 PEOPLE...wow, we really must be insane!
Checked into our hotel, and tried to lay down for a nap before the race. As you can imagine, Saturday's on the River Walk are quite popular. Trying to sleep in the afternoon turned out to be quite a challenge. Our neighbors started arguing and going at it about 30 minutes into our nap session. Then they proceeded to "go at it" in an entirely different way. Sooooo....we really didn't sleep much. Got up about 8, got dressed and all Body Glided up...
**Body Glide-the most amazing invention ever for a distance runner. After running longer distances, inevitably, things start to ummmm...rub together. This stuff prevents that. It is heaven in a deoderant looking stick. A must buy!
Shoes On, Numbers On...out the door we went. We promptly got lost on our way to Olmos Park. Made it to the start with less than 30 minutes to spare. PHEWWWWW...that was close. There was a band playing and people had set up tents and lawn chairs to watch us. Everyone seemed to have brought their dog, and the volunteers we had were second to none. Every time we ran around that loop towards the mile marker, they cheered. By the 5th hour, they knew us by name. It was amazing.
When the gun went off and we started, the crazy 20 Ultra Runners all stayed tightly packed together. Plodding along at a 10 minute mile pace, we all talked about how far we wanted to go, what was the plan, who had done this before. Wasn't long before we friended an Air Force Chemist named Brent who stuck with us for over 20 miles even though he had never run more than 13 miles prior to the race.
As the night went on, we all separated, and yes, Kristofor and I did exactly what we swore we wouldn't do. We ran, and didnt walk. We stopped after every mile for 1-2 minutes to stretch, grab water, grab a granola bar, or use the good ol' port-a-potty (Yuck. I felt disgusting by the end). But mostly, we ran. Quicker at first, then slower, then faster, but we kept running.
I began my typical bargaining tactics. I promised my knees, 27 miles. Run 27 miles, then you can walk. So that is what I did. We crossed the marathon mark about 5 hours and 15 minutes in, and I pounded out another mile. Then I started walking. Kristofor kept going and managed to get a mile ahead of me. I began power walking at about 14-16 minute mile paces. I continued to do this until Mile 38. Owwwww. Holy Jesus, it hurt. When I was running, my knees were aching and throbbing, with the walking, it was my ankles and feet that provided the pain. It is also important to note that with all of the wildfires in Central Texas this week, the air quality was not good. At times it was like running in a BBQ pit. The smell got stronger as the night wore on, but overall the weather was perfect, chilly even. We finished the race in 68 degree amazingness.
At mile 38, I decided, with 25 minutes left, that Mile 39 would be my last. I had finally hit the wall. And although, I wanted those 40 miles sooooo bad, I knew my body was done. The pain had taken over, and I was having trouble putting one foot in front of the other without stumbling. So at 7:02 am, I shuffled, very slowly across the finish line for the last time. I stretched as well as I could, and I cried. 9 hours of continuous movement done.
I didn't cry for the pain, I cried for the sheer magnitude of what I had done, and for what it was for. Watching firemen and police officers, veterans and active duty military do the relay and Ultra carrying boots, wearing fulll gear was so inspiring. And I was moved by how much we all came together to cheer each other on and finish strong. Not a mile went by that someone didn't tap me on the should and say "good job girl" or "keep moving keep moving." We were all cheerleaders last night, complete strangers, united to finish mile after mile.
It reminded me of 10 years ago. When the simple, kind human spirit was displayed fully by Americans in their heartfelt unity over the tragedy that was 9/11. Last night, I witnessed the kindness of strangers, the uniting of Americans to fulfull a purpose. And that experience will forever live with me. This morning, we took moments of silence for when the 1st and 2nd planes hit, and for the Pentagon and Flight 93 crashes as well. Emotion was all around, tears, and silence. As the Color Guard lifted the flag, and our National Anthem played, I have never been a more proud American. I am so blessed to have been a part of that experience.
When we got back to the hotel, I was not surprised to see that I have been gifted with 4 large blisters and 3 lost toenails. They hurt, but it was so worth it. I slept most the day, ate more Mexican food than humanly possible tonight, and now I sit in bed lacquered with BioFreeze (also amazing stuff) watching football.
It has been an amazing experience. I was proud to have done a little part to honor our country with my miles. I did have 14 names on my list last night, so thank you again for sending me the names. I ran 2+ miles for each of them :), the note carefully tucked in my mini fanny pack (so fashionable). This week, I'll be recouping and getting back on my original track of marathon training for November 13. It seems so much more doable since last night. I appreciate all the kind words and notes that have been sent to Kristofor and I over the past couple of days. When times got tough last night, thinking about them (or actually reading them on my mini-breaks) helped push me through. So Thank You.
And God Bless America.
Thanks for cheering me on,
Lacy
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